The Boston Celtics announced Thursday that they have traded Fab Melo and cash considerations to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Donte Greene.

Greene, 25, didn't play last season after suffering a fractured ankle the prior summer, but sports career averages of 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds over four seasons.

Without trying to send too much like the Grim Reaper's messenger, the Celtics could waive him at some point this season. Greene, who signed with Memphis late last year, possesses a nonguaranteed contract with no guarantee date for 2013-14. Releasing him at some point would allow the Celtics to slide underneath the luxury tax threshold, a goal of theirs since jumping full force into the rebuilding process this summer. Other moves are also possible to achieve the same goal, but everybody else on the roster holds a guaranteed deal.

Melo, 23, barely played in Boston last year and, with the exception of one record-setting week with the D-League's Maine Red Claws, hasn't shown the ability to deliver on his potential. The 7-footer didn't show much improvement during summer league, but has been spotted working hard at the IMG Academy in recent weeks.

When the Celtics drafted Melo at No. 22 last year, they surely didn't envision trading him for Donte Greene in what could very well amount to nothing more than a salary dump. But the organization hasn't been thrilled with the center's development, or, more to the point, his lack thereof.

From the official press release:

Greene, a 6’11” forward, has appeared in 253 games in his five year career averaging 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game. He signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on April 17, 2013 but did not appear in any games for the Grizzlies during the 2012-13 season or the 2013 postseason. He was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 28th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Syracuse but spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings.

Melo, a 7’0” center, appeared in six games for the Celtics this past season averaging 1.2 points and 0.5 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per game. He also appeared in 33 games for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League and averaged 9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and a league-high 3.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game. Melo was named to the D-League All-Defensive First Team and D-League All-Rookie First Team for his play during the 2012-13 season.